Flavored beverage carbonation system

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

FIELD

A system for dispensing carbonated and/or flavored beverages isprovided.

BACKGROUND

Conventional beverage dispensing devices operate to carbonate and/orflavor water. Some devices may mix carbonated water and a flavoringcompound together in a machine and then dispense the resulting mixtureinto a receptacle. Unless the devices are thoroughly cleaned, thismethod can result in contamination occurring over time. Other devicesrely on crushing, puncturing, and/or generally compromising flavoringcontainers in order to access the flavoring compounds inside. Thesemethods of breaching flavoring containers can result in splatter andmess, which, if not thoroughly cleaned, can result in similarcontamination.

Still other devices rely on carbonating water within a specializedcontainer to be attached to the device, and from which the resultingbeverage is served. The container can be pre-filled with water and/orflavoring, and then it can be secured to the devices and pressurizedwithin the container and used to serve the resulting beverage. Thesedevices, however, can create excess plastic waste, as specially adaptedbottles must be produced to interface with the device.

Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a better beveragedispensing device to improve on mess creation and waste production.

SUMMARY

A beverage system for preparing a flavored and/or carbonated beverage isprovided. Related apparatuses and techniques are also provided.

In one embodiment, a beverage system for preparing a flavored carbonatedbeverage is provided. The beverage system can have a housing. Thehousing can include a fluid input configured to receive a first fluidfrom a fluid source and a fluid output configured to emit a secondfluid. A carriage assembly can be movably mounted on the housing. Thecarriage assembly can include a cavity configured to seat a flavorantcontainer. The cavity can have a port configured to interact with aninlet on the flavorant container to allow a pump in the housing to atleast one gas from the port through inlet into the flavorant container.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the at least one gas can include air.

In another example, the first fluid and the second fluid can be thesame.

In another example, the first fluid can be water.

In another example, the housing can include a mixing chamber configuredto fluidly communicate with the fluid source, and the housing can beconfigured to coupled to a pressurized gas source to allow a gas to bedelivered to the mixing chamber to carbonate the first fluid within themixing chamber to produce the second fluid.

In another example, the beverage system can include a pump and a conduitcoupled to the pump and the port. The pump can be configured to forceair along a path. The path can include the conduit, the port, and theinlet into the flavorant container.

In another example, the cavity can include an alignment channel formedin and extending along a sidewall thereof. The cavity can be configuredto receive a corresponding projection on a flavorant container to alignthe flavorant container with the port.

In another example, the cavity can include a hole formed therein andconfigured to receive a projection on the flavorant container, and thecavity can also include at least one projection extending from a surfacethereon and configured to extend into a portion of the flavorantcontainer. In other aspects, the portion can be a cap affixed to a mainbody of the flavorant container.

In another example, the carriage assembly can be movable between an openconfiguration to receive a flavorant container, and a closed position inwhich the carriage assembly prevents removal of the flavorant container.In certain aspects, the carriage assembly can be pivotally coupled tothe housing by a hinge and can be movable between the open and closedpositions about the hinge.

In another example, the carriage assembly can include first and secondindependently movable carriages for seating first and second flavorantcontainers.

In another example, the housing is configured to emit the second fluidin a first stream to emit flavorant in a second stream, and wherein thesecond fluid and the emitted flavorant form the beverage. In otheraspects, the first stream and the second stream are substantiallyparallel. In still other aspects, the second scream can have atrajectory at an oblique angle from a trajectory of the first stream.The second stream can combine with the first stream in-flight. Infurther aspects, the housing can include a mixing chamber in fluidcommunication with the fluid source and coupled to a pressurized gassource to allow a gas to be delivered to the mixing chamber to carbonatethe first fluid within the mixing chamber to produce the second fluid.

In another example, the beverage system can include a removable pitchercoupled to the housing and having the water reservoir therein.

In another example, the cavity can include a first cavity, and thecarriage assembly can include a second cavity configured to seat asecond flavorant container. In certain aspects, the beverage system caninclude a user interface configured to receive at least one input. Theat least one input can characterize a selection between emittingflavorant from the first flavor container and emitting flavorant fromthe second flavorant container.

In another example, the port can be configured to create a vacuum sealaround the inlet when the flavorant container is seated in the cavity.

In another example, the cavity can include at least one projectiondefining a retention pattern. The retention pattern can be configured toreceive a complimentary feature on a flavorant container. In otheraspects, the retention pattern can comprise a figure-eight pattern. Infurther aspects, the complimentary feature on the flavorant containercan include two circles of different diameters separated by a space.

In another embodiment, a beverage system for preparing a flavoredcarbonated beverage is provided. The beverage system can include a fluiddispenser configured to dispense carbonated water and a carriageassembly movably mounted to the fluid dispenser. The carriage assemblycan be configured to fixedly seat at least one flavorant container. Thefluid dispenser can include an air pump capable of injecting at leastone gas into a flavorant container seated in the carriage assembly tocause the at least one flavorant container to dispense flavorant. Thecarriage assembly can be configured to create a vacuum seal around atleast part of the flavorant container before injecting the at least onegas into the flavorant container.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the at least one gas can include air.

In another example, the first fluid can include water.

In another example, the carriage assembly can be configured to seat aplurality of flavorant containers.

In another example, the carriage assembly can have a cavity formedtherein and can be configured to receive the flavorant container. Thecarriage assembly can have a channel extending along a sidewall of thecavity and configured to receive a projection on the flavorantcontainer.

In another example, the carriage assembly can include an outlet portformed therein and can be configured to couple to an inlet port on aflavorant container for allowing air to be injected into the flavorantcontainer.

In another example, the carriage assembly can include an outlet portformed therein and can be configured to couple to an outlet port on aflavorant container to allow the first fluid within the flavorantcontainer to be ejected from the flavorant container. The outlet port inthe carriage assembly can be configured to deliver fluid to areceptacle.

In another embodiment, a flavorant container for use in a beveragecarbonation system is provided. The flavorant container can include acontainer defining an interior hollow chamber. The container can have anopening leading to the interior hollow chamber. The flavorant containercan also include a cap coupled to the opening of the container. The capcan have an inlet valve that can be sealed to retain fluid within thecontainer and that can be configured to open in response to pressurizeair to allow air to be injected into the interior hollow chamber. Thecap can also have an outlet valve that can be sealed to retain fluidwithin the container and that can be configured to open when a pressurewithin the interior hollow chamber exceeds a predetermine thresholdpressure to allow fluid within the container to flow out through theoutlet valve.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the inlet valve can define a first flow pathand the outlet valve can define a second flow path. The first flow pathand the second flow path can be substantially parallel to each other.

In another example, the inlet valve can define a first flow path and theoutlet valve can define a second flow path. The first flow path and thesecond flow path can be angled toward each other.

In another example, the cap can include a first raised collar extendingaround the inlet valve and a second raised collar extending around theoutlet valve. In other aspects, the first raised collar and the secondraised collar can at least partially overlap in a figure-eight pattern.

In another example, the cap can include at least one protrusion. The atleast one protrusion can be configured to be received by a complimentaryretention pattern in a beverage dispensing device.

In another example, the inlet valve can have a first diameter and theoutlet valve can have a second diameter. The first diameter can besmaller than the second diameter.

In another example, the cap can include an alignment mechanismconfigured to orient the cap within a carriage. In certain aspects, thealignment mechanism can comprise a protrusion extending along anexterior surface of the cap.

In another example, the container can be substantially rigid to resistdeformation.

In another example, the container can include a plurality of ridgesdisposed in a sidewall thereof.

In another example, the inlet valve can be a duckbill valve.

In another example, the cap can include an end wall extending across theopening to the interior hollow chamber. The outlet valve can bepositioned within the interior hollow chamber inward of the end wall.

In another example, the outlet valve can be recessed within a raisedcollar.

In another example, the container can have an oblong configuration andthe cap is offset from a mid-portion of the container.

In another embodiment, a flavorant container is provided. The flavorantcontainer can include a container defining an interior hollow chamber.The container can have an opening leading to the interior hollow chamberconfigured to contain a liquid. The flavorant container can also includean exchange assembly fixedly coupled to and projecting from an uppersurface of the container and disposed over the opening. The exchangeassembly can be configured to seal the interior hollow chamber, and theexchange assembly can include an inlet valve positioned within theinterior hollow chamber, an outlet valve, and at least one projectionformed thereon. The at least one projection can be configured to aid inalignment of the exchange assembly into a carriage in a beveragecarbonation system. The interior hollow chamber can be configured toreceive pressurized air through the inlet valve, and the interior hollowchamber can be configured to expel fluid through the outlet valve inresponse to receiving pressurized air through the inlet valve.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the exchange assembly can include a cap havinga hollow cylindrical body with an end wall positioned within the hollowcylindrical body. The inlet and outlet valves can extend across the endwall. In other aspects, the end wall can be positioned across asubstantial mid-portion of the exchange assembly.

In another example, the inlet valve can define a first flow path and theoutlet valve can define a second flow path. The first flow path and thesecond flow path can be substantially parallel to each other.

In another example, the container can be substantially rigid to resistdeformation.

In another example, the inlet valve can be a duckbill valve.

In another example, the exchange assembly can includes a first collardisposed around the inlet valve and a second collar disposed around theoutlet valve. In other aspects, the first collar and the second collarcan at least partially overlap in a figure-eight pattern.

In another example, the container can include a plurality of ridgesdisposed on a sidewall thereof.

In another example, the exchange assembly can be a discrete element. Inother aspects, the exchange assembly can be formed by an injectionmolding process.

In another embodiment, a beverage system for preparing a flavoredcarbonated beverage is provided. The beverage system can include ahousing having a mixing chamber. The housing can be configured tooperably couple to a fluid reservoir and a pressurized gas source, andthe housing can have a flavorant system configured to operably couple toa flavorant container. The beverage system can also include a processordisposed in the housing and configured to cause, in response to at leastone input, a first fluid to be delivered from the fluid source into themixing chamber and a second fluid to be delivered from the mixingchamber to a receptacle. The processor can also be configured to causepressurized air to be delivered into the flavorant container to cause aflavorant within the flavorant container to be ejected into thereceptacle. Flavorant can be delivered to the container separate fromand simultaneously with the carbonated fluid to form a flavoredcarbonated beverage.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the flavorant can be delivered to thereceptacle concurrently to the second fluid being delivered to thereceptacle.

In another example, the first fluid and the second fluid can be thesame.

In another example, the processor can be configured to cause, inresponse to the at least one input, gas to be delivered from thepressurized gas source into the mixing chamber to form the second fluidas a carbonated fluid.

In another example, the flavorant can be delivered to the containeralong a first flow path that is spaced apart from a second flow path ofthe carbonated fluid being delivered to the container. In other aspects,the first flow path and the second flow path are substantially parallel.In still other aspects, the first flow path is angled toward the secondflow path.

In another example, the input can characterize an amount of carbonationto be delivered to the mixing chamber. In other aspects, the amount ofcarbonation to be delivered is zero.

In another example, the input can characterize an amount of flavorant tobe delivered to the receptacle.

In another example, the housing can include a carriage configured toremovably seat the flavorant container.

In another example, the flavorant container can include a firstflavorant container. The flavorant system can be configured to operablycouple to a second flavorant container. In other aspects, the processorcan be configured to receive an input indicating a selection of one ofthe first and second flavorant containers, and the processor can beconfigured to cause, in response to the input, pressurized air to bedelivered into the selected one of the first and second flavorantcontainers.

In another example, the flavorant container can include an inlet valveand and outlet valve. Pressurized air can be delivered through the inletvalve and the flavorant can be ejected through the outlet valve.

In another embodiment, a carbonated beverage system is provided. Thecarbonated beverage system can include a housing. The housing caninclude a mixing chamber fluidly coupled to a fluid reservoir and to apressurized gas source. The mixing chamber can be configured to receivea first fluid from the mixing chamber and deliver a second fluid to afirst fluid outlet on the housing. The housing can also include aflavorant receptacle. The flavorant receptacle can be configured to seata flavorant container such that the flavorant container is configured toreceive pressurized air from a pump in the housing and is configured todeliver flavorant to a second fluid outlet on the housing. The secondfluid outlet can be spaced apart from the first fluid outlet, and thefirst and second fluid outlets can be positioned above a platformconfigured to support a beverage container.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the second fluid can be the first fluid.

In another example, the first fluid outlet can be configured to deliverthe second fluid concurrently with the second fluid outlet deliveringflavorant.

In another example, the first and second fluid outlets can define fluidflow paths that are substantially parallel to one another.

In another example, the second fluid outlet can define a fluid flow paththat extends transverse to a fluid flow path defined by the first fluidoutlet such that flavorant flowing from the second fluid outlet isdirected into a path of carbonated fluid flowing from the first outlet.

In another example, the fluid reservoir can be a water pitcher removablycoupled to the mixing chamber.

In another example, the housing can include a user interface configuredto receive at least one input. The at least one input can control atleast one characteristic of the carbonated fluid. In other aspects, theat least one characteristic can be at least one of a fluid volume and acarbonation level.

In another embodiment, a method for preparing a flavored carbonatedbeverage is provided. The method can include receiving at a processor aninput from a user and, in response to the input, causing gas from apressurized gas source to be delivered into a mixing chamber containinga fluid to thereby form a carbonated fluid. The method can also includecausing the carbonated fluid to be delivered into a container, andcausing a flavorant to be delivered into the container along a fluidflow path that is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to afluid flow path of the carbonated fluid being delivered into thecontainer.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasiblecombination. For example, the at least one input can characterize atleast one of a flavor type, a carbonation level, a volume of carbonatedfluid to be delivered into the container, and a volume of flavorant tobe delivered into the container.

In another example, the method can include, in response to the input,causing a fluid from a fluid storage tank to be delivered into themixing chamber. In other aspects, the fluid storage tank can be a waterpitcher removably coupled to the mixing chamber.

In another example, the method can include seating a flavorant containercontaining the flavorant in a carriage assembly.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features will be more readily understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of one embodiment of a beverage dispensingdevice having a water reservoir coupled thereto;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the beverage dispensing device ofFIG. 1A, having the water reservoir removed;

FIG. 1C is a bottom perspective view of the beverage dispensing deviceof FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D is a rear perspective view of the beverage dispensing device ofFIG. 1B, having a door open to reveal a CO₂ cavity;

FIG. 1E is a rear perspective view of the beverage dispensing device ofFIG. 1B with a door removed to reveal a CO₂ canister disposed within acanister cavity;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a drip tray of the beveragedispensing device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the drip tray of FIG. 2A having agrate removed;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a reservoir valve seat of thebeverage dispensing device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the reservoirvalve seat of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the water reservoir of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the water reservoir of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4C is a side cross-sectional view of a valve section of the waterreservoir of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5A is a system diagram of the beverage dispensing device of FIG.1A, having a carbonation assembly;

FIG. 5B is a left side view of the carbonation assembly of FIG. 5A,including a mixing assembly, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5C is a left side view of the mixing assembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a carriage assembly used with thebeverage dispensing device of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6B is a left cross-sectional view of a carriage of the carriageassembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a left cross-sectional view of the carriage assembly of FIG.6A;

FIG. 6D is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the carriageassembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6E is a bottom perspective view of the carriage assembly of FIG.6A;

FIG. 6F is a side cross-sectional view of a flavorant container seatedon the carriage assembly of FIG. 6A, showing an air line of the carriageassembly;

FIG. 6G is a perspective view of the carriage assembly of FIG. 6A,having two flavorant containers seated thereon, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 6H is a cross-sectional view of the carriage assembly of FIG. 6A,having air pumps attached to air lines;

FIG. 6I is a left perspective view of the carriage assembly of FIG. 6H;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a flavorantcontainer;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the flavorant container of FIG. 7Awithout a cap;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the flavorant container of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7D is a side cross-sectional view of the flavorant container ofFIG. 7A;

FIG. 7E is a side cross-sectional view of a cap of the flavorantcontainer of FIG. 7A, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a flavorant container according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a flavorant container according toanother embodiment, having an inlet and an outlet angled relative to oneanother;

FIG. 8C is an exploded perspective view of a flavorant container havinga separate inlet and outlet opening in a container, and a lid configuredto cover the inlet and the outlet;

FIG. 8D is an exploded right side view of the flavorant container ofFIG. 8C having a separate inlet lid and outlet lid;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a user interface of a beverage dispensingdevice according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a system process diagram for an illustrative controlprocess;

FIG. 10B is a system process diagram for an illustrative initializationsub-process for the control process of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a system process diagram for an illustrative user inputsub-process for the control process of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is a system process diagram for an illustrative carbonationsub-process for the control process of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10E is a system process diagram for an illustrative flavoringsub-process for the control process of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a system process diagram for an illustrative carbonation andflavoring sub-process.

It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawingsare intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting thescope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain illustrative embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting illustrative embodiments and thatthe scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. Thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one illustrativeembodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the present invention.

Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of theembodiments generally have similar features, and thus within aparticular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is notnecessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent thatlinear or circular dimensions are used in the description of thedisclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are notintended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunctionwith such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the artwill recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensionscan easily be determined for any geometric shape.

A beverage dispensing device is provided that can carbonate and/orflavor, and dispense beverages. The device can receive user inputs at auser interface, and these inputs can include customization options forcreating a beverage, including fluid volume, carbonation level, flavortype, and flavor strength. When the inputs are received, a carbonationsystem can create carbonated water using water sourced from a waterreservoir (or other source) coupled to the device and carbon-dioxidesourced from a carbon-dioxide canister (or other source) coupled to thedevice. The amounts of water (or other fluid) and carbon-dioxide to beused to create the beverage can be determined based on the received userinputs. The device can also receive one or more flavorant containers ata carriage assembly, each of which can be selected for dispensing by auser in order to flavor the newly-created carbonated water. During adispensing process, pressurized air can be introduced into a flavorantcontainer via an inlet, and flavorant can be ejected via an outlet. Thecarbonated water and the flavorant can be ejected from separate nozzlesinto a drinking glass (or other receiving vessel, e.g., a travel mug)where they are mixed together. In other embodiments, the beverage cancontain uncarbonated water and a flavorant to form an uncarbonatedflavored beverage. In some embodiments, the flavorant may be dispensedat an angle relative to the flow of the dispensed carbonated water sothat the carbonated water and flavorant are combined in flight beforereaching the drinking glass.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A-1E, an illustrative embodiment of abeverage dispensing device 10 is shown. The illustrated beveragedispensing device 10 generally includes a housing assembly 100 having acarbonation assembly (not shown) disposed therein, a carriage assembly180 configured to hold one or more flavorant containers 200, and acontroller (also referred to as a processor, not shown) with a userinterface (UI) 300 for receiving instructions from a user. A fluidreservoir 130 is coupled to the housing assembly 100 and is configuredto contain a fluid to be delivered to the carbonation assembly. Thehousing assembly 100 can also include a drip tray 110 configured tosupport a container, such as a glass, for collecting fluid. Inoperation, a user can provide various inputs to the UI and the beveragedispensing device 10 can dispense a carbonated or uncarbonated water, asmay be desired, and optionally a flavorant to flavor the carbonated oruncarbonated fluid.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the illustrated housing assembly 100 includes ahousing 102 having an elongate, upright hollow body with top and bottomends 102 a, 102 b, a left side 102 c, a right side 102 d, a front side102 e, and a back side 102 f. In the illustrated embodiment, the housingis oblong, and the shape of the housing 102 is longer from the frontside 102 e to the back side 102 f than it is from the left side 102 c tothe right side 102 d. The front side 102 e is shown having a flatfaçade, and the back side 102 f is shown having a rounded convex façade,while each of the left and right sides 102 c, 102 d, is substantiallyflat. However, the housing 102 can have any shape, and as such, invarious embodiments, the shape of the housing 102 can vary to includeadditional rounded or flat components, or other forms beyond what isshown. The housing 102 can be sized to fit internal components of thebeverage dispensing device 10, discussed in further detail below. Thehousing 102 can be made of any suitable material or materials, and caninclude various metals (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum), plastics,glass, or other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art,alone or in combination.

The bottom side of the housing 102 can provide the beverage dispensingdevice 10 with a flat base, and the bottom side can include supports orfeet 103 which can provide additional stability. The feet 103 can be inany form, and in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, the feet areelongate and are disposed around an outer edge of the bottom side 102 a.To prevent the housing 102 from sliding on a surface, the feet 103 canbe made from a higher-friction material, such as rubber, or have aportion of a higher-friction

As further shown, the housing 102 includes a head assembly 120 locatedon an upper portion of the front side 102 e of the housing 102. The headassembly 120 can be substantially cylindrical in shape, and includes atop side 120 a which aligns with the top side 102 b of the housing 102,and a bottom side 120 c which includes various openings for dispensingfluids used in the creation of drinks. Between the top side 120 a andthe bottom side 120 c is an outer surface 120 b, which defines therounded form of the cylindrical head assembly 120. The head assembly 120can contain components of a mixing assembly configured to carbonatefluids (e.g., water), which can then be dispensed from the bottom side.Further, the head assembly 120 can be configured to receive one or moreflavorant containers 180, which can be utilized in the creation ofbeverages. The outer surface 120 b of the head assembly 120 can includeUI 300 for receiving inputs for operating the device. The mixingassembly, dispensing of fluids, and the creation of beverages, includingthrough operation of the UI 300, will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

FIG. 1D shows a CO₂ cavity 104 according to the illustrated embodiment.The CO₂ cavity 104 is an opening in the housing, which can receive a CO₂source used in carbonation processes. In the illustrated embodiment, theCO₂ cavity 104 is located in the rear left side 102 c of the housing102, although the CO₂ cavity 104 can be in other locations. The CO₂cavity 104 can be closed off by a door 106, as seen in FIG. 1E. The door106 can extend from the bottom side 102 a upward and it can follow acontour of the left side 102 c and into the back side 102 f. The door106 can be attached to the housing 102 by a means such as via a hinge orby magnets, or it can be mated using other techniques known in the art.In the illustrated embodiment, the door 106 is wholly removable from thehousing 102, but it can be secured to the housing in any of a variety ofways, e.g., by several magnets (not shown) disposed in the door 106 andin the housing 102. A cutaway 106 a can be formed in the housing 102,which enables a user to grasp and remove the door 106 while maintaininga uniform shape of the overall housing 102.

The door 106 can be moved between a closed position in which the CO₂cavity 104 is closed off, and an open position in which the CO₂ cavity104 is open. When the door 106 is in the open position, the CO₂ sourceis accessible. In the illustrated embodiment, the CO₂ source is in theform of a canister 161, which will be described in more detail below.

As introduced above, the housing 102 can include a drip tray 110, whichcan be seen in detail in FIGS. 2A-2B. The drip tray 110 extends from alower portion of the front side 102 e beneath the head assembly 120. Thedrip tray 110 can have any shape or form, and in the illustratedembodiment, it is flat and round while also corresponding to the size ofthe head assembly 120. In some embodiments, the drip tray 110 can beintegral with the housing 102, while in other embodiments it can befully removable from the housing 102. Removing the drip tray 110, or notincluding a drip tray, may allow taller receiving vessels to fit underthe head assembly 120. It may also allow for a shorter overall system10′ having a head assembly with a lower bottom, while stillaccommodating a same vessel height that can be accommodated with thesystem 10 and the drip tray 110.

The illustrated drip tray 110 includes a trough 112 defining a centralcavity 113, and a grate 114 placed atop the trough 112 and covering thecentral cavity 113. The grate 114 includes a plurality of holes. Duringoperation of the beverage dispensing device 10, the trough 112 can actto catch and retain splashed or dripping fluid, which can pass throughthe holes in the grate 114 and can be collected within the centralcavity 113. The drip tray 110 can be made of any material, similar tothe housing 102, and it can be the same material or a different materialas the housing. The trough 112 and the grate 114 can also be made fromthe same material or from different materials. The trough 112 and grate114 can be removable from the housing to allow a user to discard anycollected fluid. In some embodiments, the system 110 may vent fluid intothe drip tray 110 for various purposes, so that it can leave the system10 as needed without resulting in a mess.

As indicated above, the fluid reservoir 130 can be coupled to thehousing 100 for storing fluid to be delivered into the carbonationsystem. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a reservoir valve seat 116 configured tocouple the fluid reservoir 130 to the carbonation system. The illustratereservoir valve seat 116 extends outward from the right side 102 d ofthe housing 102 at the same level as the bottom side 102 a. In thismanner, the reservoir valve seat 116 can provide extra support topreventing tipping of the beverage dispensing device 10. In otherembodiments, the reservoir valve seat 116 can be located at the backside 102 e, left side 102 c, or in any other location. The reservoirvalve seat 116 can be in the form of a hollow housing 118 having anupward extending valve 119. The upward extending valve 119 can bereceived by a corresponding valve structure located on the bottom sideof a water reservoir. FIG. 3B also shows valve 119 coupled to watertubing 154 inside of the reservoir valve seat 116. This tubing 154 canallow fluid to be delivered to the carbonation assembly 150, which willbe discussed later in more detail.

FIGS. 4A-4B show a water reservoir 130 according to an illustrativeembodiment. The water reservoir 130, generally, is a container forholding fluid, such as water, which can interface with the reservoirvalve seat 116 to thereby enable fluid communication between the waterreservoir 130 and the beverage dispensing device 10 for use in thecreation and dispensing of beverages. The water reservoir 130 can haveany shape, and it can be designed to complement the shape and size ofthe housing 102. For example, both the water reservoir 130 and thehousing 102 can have flat sides to minimize the overall footprint of thesystem. In the illustrated embodiment, the water reservoir 130 is shownin the form of a pitcher, and it has a main container 132, a handle 134,and a removable lid 136. A bottom side 132 a of the container 130 isrecessed, and a support 133 extends around the perimeter of the bottomside 132 a.

On the bottom side 132 a is a valve structure 140 which can be receivedby the upward extending valve 119 of the reservoir valve seat 116. Thevalve structure 140 includes a central plug 142 seated within a centralvalve silo 144. Surrounding an upper extent of the central plug 142,within the water reservoir 130, is a valve guard 146. The valve guard146 is mounted to the water reservoir 130 and blocks off direct accessto the central plug, while still allowing fluid to flow through thevalve structure 140. When not received on the upward extending valve119, the central plug 142 is biased downward within the central valvesilo 144 to a closed position to retain fluid in the water reservoir130. When the valve structure 140 is received on the upward extendingvalve 119, the central plug 142 can be moved upward within the centralvalve silo 144 to an open position to allow fluid to flow from the waterreservoir 130 through the valve structure 140 and into the rest of thebeverage dispensing device 10.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an illustrative carbonation assembly 150. Thecarbonation assembly 150 can be contained within the housing 102, and itcan be used to create carbonated water for use in beverages. Theillustrated carbonation assembly 150 generally includes a water line152, a gas line 160, and a mixing assembly 170. The mixing assembly 170receives water from the water line 152 and gas (in the form of CO₂) fromthe gas line 160 in order to create carbonated water.

The water line 152 is coupled to the water reservoir 130 and also caninclude any of: the valve structure 140, the valve seat 116, watertubing 154, a water pump 156, and a flow meter 157. The water tubing 154runs from the valve seat 116 and through interior of the housing 102 tothe mixing assembly 170. Near the point of connection to the mixingassembly, a first check valve 158 a and a second check valve 158 b canbe disposed, which can selectively permit water flow into the mixingassembly 170 and prevent the backflow of water from the mixing assembly170. Upstream from the second check valve 158 b is a purging pump 159,which can be used to send pressurized air into the mixing assembly 170,in order to purge the mixing assembly 170 of still water and carbonatedwater between uses. A water pump 156 and a flow meter 157 can also bedisposed in the water tubing 154 line. The water pump 156 operates topump water out of the water reservoir 130, through the valve seat 116,through the water tubing 154, and into the mixing assembly 170. The flowmeter 157 can measure the amount and/or rate of water passing throughthe water line 152 and into the mixing assembly 170 in order toaccurately measure quantities needed for the creation of drinks. Invarious embodiments, a flow meter 157 may not be used, and instead asensor can be placed within the mixing assembly to gauge a total volumeof fluid entering the mixing chamber 172. Such a sensor could be a floatsensor or other means by which to gauge a volume.

The gas line 160 can include any of: the CO₂ canister 161 or equivalentsource, a regulator 164, a gas solenoid 166, and gas tubing 162. The gastubing 162 runs from the CO₂ canister 161 to the mixing assembly 170.Similar to the water line 152, the gas line 160 can include a gas checkvalve 168 at the point of connection with the mixing assembly 170, whichcan selectively permit gas flow into the mixing assembly 170 and preventbackflow from the assembly 170 into the gas line 160. As mentionedabove, the CO₂ canister 161 sits within the CO₂ cavity 104 and cansupply carbon-dioxide to the beverage dispensing device. The CO₂canister 161 can be a replaceable unit containing pressurizedcarbon-dioxide, and when the canister 161 is empty, the canister 161 canbe replaced in order to keep a supply of carbon-dioxide ready for futureoperation. The canister 161 can be connected to a regulator 164, whichcan lead to a gas solenoid 166 that is actuatable to open and close thepassage of carbon-dioxide along the gas line 160 and into the mixingassembly 170.

Both the water line 152 and the gas line 160 lead to the mixing assembly170, which can be used to create carbonated water (or other fluid) fromwater (or other fluid) inputted via the water line 152 and the gas line160. The mixing assembly 170 in the illustrated embodiment is disposedin the head assembly 120, and it can include a mixing chamber 172, anagitator 173, a motor 174, a dispenser valve 176, and a nozzle 178. Thespecific arrangement of the mixing assembly 170 can vary, and itsrelation to other components contained within the housing 102, as wellas its relation to the housing 102, can vary as well. In the illustratedembodiment, the agitator 173 is disposed within the mixing chamber 172,and the motor 174 is disposed beneath the mixing chamber 172. Thedispenser valve 176 is located on an underside of the mixing chamber172, which leads to the nozzle 178. The nozzle 178 can sit within thebottom side 120 a of the head assembly 120 and can dispense carbonatedand/or still water (or another fluid) for drinks.

The mixing chamber 172 can include an emergency pressure relief valve179, a pressure sensor 175 a which can measure an internal pressure ofthe mixing chamber 172, and a temperature sensor 175 b which can measurean internal temperature of the mixing chamber 172. The temperaturesensor 175 b can be an NTC, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or any othertype of sensor capable of measuring temperature. Additionally, themixing chamber 172 can include a vent solenoid 172 a and a back-pressurepressure relief valve 172 b, which can each be actuated to regulate aninternal pressure of the mixing chamber 172, for example, to releasepressure from within the mixing chamber 172 at the end of a carbonationprocedure, before dispensing the carbonated fluid. The carbonationprocedure will be described in detail below.

With reference now to FIGS. 6A-61 , a carriage assembly 180 and aflavorant container 200 are shown according to one embodiment. Thecarriage assembly 180 can retain at least one flavorant container 200including a flavorant, which can be dispensed and combined withcarbonated or uncarbonated water (or other fluid) to create flavoredbeverages.

The carriage assembly 180 can be located within the head assembly 120,and it is shown having left and right carriages 182L, 182R, which caneach retain a flavorant container 200L, 200R. In other embodiments, adifferent number of carriages can be used to retain a different numberof flavorant containers. The left and right carriages 182L, 182R can bestructurally the same but mirrored relative to each other, sodescription will only be provided for one carriage 182R. The carriage182R can be attached to the head assembly 120 via a pivotal hinge 183 aand cam structure 183 b arranged in a cam slot 183 c, which allows thecarriage to move between a raised and a lowered position. For example,as seen in FIG. 6A, the left carriage 182L is in the raised position andthe right carriage 182R is in the lowered position. When the carriage182R is in the lowered position, the flavorant container 200R can beinserted therein. The carriage assembly can further include a biasingelement, such as a spring 183 d, which can bias the carriage assembly tothe raised position.

On the carriage 182R itself is a retention seat 184, which is sized toseat the flavorant container 200R. The retention seat 184 can be in theform of a rounded depression that is shaped to receive a cap of aflavorant container. The retention seat can further include a keyed slot184 a extending from the rounded depression along a sidewall of theseat. The slot 184 a can be sized to receive a complementary portion ofthe flavorant container in order to properly align the flavorantcontainer 200 within the carriage 182R. The keyed slot 184 a can also begenerally referred to as an alignment channel. Within the keyed slot 184a, there can be a retention catch 185 in the form of a spring-loadedextension configured to receive and retain a complimentary groove on theflavorant container 200. The retention seat 184 can also includeretention projections 184 b located within the slot, which provide moreareas that a flavorant container 200 can frictionally fit when retainedin the carriage 182R. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, retention projections 184 bare shown in the form of rounded triangular shapes projecting outwardfrom the retention seat 184, however the retention projections 184 b canhave any shape or form, for example, a form that conforms to acomplimentary and compatible portion on a flavorant container (e.g.,flavorant container 200 or 200′, described below), or more specifically,a cap (e.g., 204, 204′, described below) of a flavorant container. Theretention-projections 184 b can also serve as a means with which certainflavorant containers can be prevented from interfacing with thecarriages 182L, 184R. The retention projections 184 b can rise out ofthe retention seat 184 so that a flavorant container (e.g., flavorantcontainer 200, 200′) must have features amounting a complimentary andcompatible pattern in order to be properly seated within the carriage(e.g., 182L, 182R), and consequently in order to be capable of properlydispensing flavorant. The complimentary and compatible pattern can belocated on a cap of a flavorant container, as will be described in moredetail below. A flavorant container without a complimentary pattern ofretention projections 184 b can be obstructed from properly interfacingwith the carriage (e.g., 182L, 182R). The projection 184 b andcomplimentary portions on a cap or other portion of a flavorantcontainer may be constructed (e.g., machined) to have varying desireddegrees of fit (e.g., tightness) when coupled together, which may takeinto account a desired tolerance of the parts.

The retention seat 184 can further include an inlet receiver 186 and anoutlet receiver 188, which can align with an inlet 210 and an outlet 212located on the flavorant container 200. The inlet receiver 186 featuresa circular gasket 186 a which can seal around an inlet 210 in order tocreate an isolated path for air to flow into a seated consumable 200.Set within the carriage 182R and leading away from the inlet receiver186 is an air line 189R, as seen especially in FIG. 6F. The air line189R can extend through the hinge 183 a of the carriage 182R and caneventually lead to an air pump 190R disposed within the head assembly120. The air pump 190R can also be located elsewhere in the device 10,such as, for example, within the housing assembly 100. In this way, whenthe flavorant container is seated on the carriage 182R, the air pump190R is in fluid communication with the flavorant container 200 via theair line 189R and the inlet receiver 186. The outlet receiver 188 can bein the form of an opening which aligns with the outlet 212 and providesa pathway for the dispensing of a flavorant stored within the flavorantcontainer 200. When fluid is dispensed from a seated flavorant container200, it can exit through the outlet 212 and pass through the outletreceiver 188, which is a simple opening. From there, the dispensed fluidcan be received by a vessel, such as a drinking glass. The seating anddispensing process will be described below in greater detail.

FIGS. 6H and 61 show the carriage assembly 180 with flavorant containers200L, 200R retained therein. The carriages 182L, 182R are shown withrespective air lines 189R, 189L extending upward and coupling withrespective air pumps 190R, 190L. In operation, the air pumps 190R, 190Lcan be used to introduce pressurized air through the air lines 189R,189L and into seated flavorant containers 200R, 200L, as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 7A-7F show one embodiment of the flavorant container 200. Theflavorant container 200 is configured to contain a flavorant, which canbe mixed with carbonated or uncarbonated water in order to create aflavored beverage.

The illustrated flavorant container 200 includes a container body 202, acap 204, and a foil seal (not shown). The container body 202 can haveany shape, but in the illustrated embodiment, the container body 202 hasthe form of an extruded ovular shape. The container body 202 includes abase 202 a, a sidewall 202 b, and a top 202 c. The sidewall 202 b isshown with a plurality of ridges 203 formed therein, which can increasegrip of the flavorant container 200 and/or provide structuralreinforcement. In the top 202 c and skewed off to one side is an opening206, which leads to a hollow interior chamber 208 defined by thecontainer body 202. The top 202 c can be angled toward the opening 206to aid in evacuation of the hollow interior chamber 208 during adispensing operation. Stored within the hollow interior chamber 208 isthe flavorant, which can take on any form, such as a liquid, a syrup, apowder, a solid, or another compound.

The cap 204 can be coupled to the container body 202 over the opening206 to close off the hollow interior chamber 208. In the illustratedembodiment, the cap 204 is snap-fitted to the container body 202,however any removable or irremovable coupling known in the art can beused, such as threads, welding, adhesives, or the like. The illustratedcap 204 can be round and can have a cylindrical outer wall 205 definingan opening therethrough. An end wall 204 a extends across the openingand can be positioned at a mid-portion of the cylindrical outer wall205. On an external surface of the cap 204 and surrounding the outlet212 can be a collar 218, which can act to provide the outlet withincreased structure, as well as to provide the carriage assembly with aneasier point of contact when the flavorant container is retainedtherein. Disposed on an outer side of the cap 204 can be an alignmenttab 207, which can protrude radially outward from the cap 204 and extendalong a length of the cap. The alignment tab 207 can enable properalignment and orientation with the carriage assembly, as explainedabove. The alignment tab can include a clip detail 207 a, which cancouple with the retention catch 185 in order to retain the consumable200 within the carriage assembly 180. The cap 204 can also include aninlet 210 and an outlet 212 positioned in the end wall 204 a. The inlet210 can be in the form of a generally hollow elongate tubular projectingfrom opposed sides of the end wall 204 a, and the inlet 210 can have adiameter that is less than, greater than, or equal to a diameter of theoutlet 212. The cap 204, including the inlet 210 and the outlet 212 canbe arranged and designed to be accommodated by a carriage (e.g.,carriage 182L, 182R), such as by having protruding portions located onthe cap 204 which correspond and compliment features on the carriage,such as the retention projections 184 b.

On an external portion of the cap 204, facing away from the hollowinterior chamber 208, the inlet 210 can take the form of a cylindricalextension protruding from the end wall 204 a of the cap 204, and on aninterior portion of the cap 204 locating within the interior chamber208, the inlet 210 can include an inlet valve 214 to allow for theinflow of fluid through the cap 204 and into the hollow interior chamber208. The inlet valve 214 is shown in FIG. 7E in the form of a duckbillvalve, but any suitable form of a valve could be used. The inlet 210therefore can form a cylindrical inlet pathway 216, and, due to theshape and structure of the inlet 210, the cylindrical inlet pathway 216can have a radius R₁ which is smaller in the external portion of the cap204 than a radius R₂ in the internal portion of the cap 204. The outlet212 likewise can include a hollow tubular structure in the form of acollar 218 that extends outward from the end wall 204 a; however theoutlet 212 can be significantly shorter and larger than the inlet 210.The outlet 212 can include a valve 212 a extending thereacross that isbiased to a closed configuration, however the valve can be configured toopen when a pressure differential across the outlet 212 exceeds apredetermined pressure. The valve 212 a is shown to be positionedslightly inward relative to the end wall 204 a when the valve 212 a isin a neutral position, but it can be positioned to be even with orslightly outward of the end wall 204 a. In the illustrated embodiment,the valve 212 a is a cross-slit valve, however any suitable type ofvalve could be used.

While the inlet valve 214 and the inlet pathway 216 are shown in FIGS.7D and 7E extending beyond the outer rim 205, they can also have ashorter form so as to be recessed more within the cap 204. This canenable the outer rim 205 to protect the inlet valve 214 and the inletpathway 216, as well as the inlet 210 generally, during transportation,handling, and use.

The flavorant container 200 can also include a plug seal (not shown),which can be disposed between the container 202 and the cap 204 to aidin sealing the hollow inner chamber 208. The plug seal can be especiallyuseful if the hollow inner chamber 208 has an increased interiorpressure, such as during a dispensing operation.

The foil seal (not shown) can adhere to an upper extent of the outerwall 205 to cover the entirety of the cap 204, including the inlet 210and the outlet 212. In this way, the foil seal can hermetically seal theflavorant to prolong shelf-stability and maintain freshness. The foilseal can also cover only the inlet 210 and/or the outlet 212. The foilseal can be peeled off by a user prior to a first use.

The flavorant container 200 can be made from a variety of materials,including plastics, resins, metals, rubbers, and more. These materialscan feature environmentally-friendly materials such as, for example,reclaimed and recycled plastics, fibers, and other materials known inthe art, in order to limit waste production resulting from operation ofthe beverage dispensing device 10.

FIG. 8A-8D depict various embodiments of the flavorant container 200.The illustrative embodiments can include similar features andcharacteristics as the flavorant container 200, and as such, to avoidbeing needlessly redundant, descriptions may not be repeated. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 8A, a flavorant container 200′ includinga cap 204′. The cap 204′ further includes an alignment pattern 220′. Thealignment pattern 220′ can take the form of protrusions located on thecap 204′, which can include or be separate from the collar 218′ or otherfeatures described above. The alignment pattern 220′, as depicted, takesthe form of a figure-eight shape, which is shown as essentially linkedcollars around both the inlet 210′ and the outlet 212′. The carriage(e.g., carriages 182L, 182R) can have a cavity with a complimentaryfigure-eight shaped depression that receives the alignment pattern 220′on the container. The depression can be defined at least in part by theretention projections 184 b, as explained above, such that thedepression and the pattern can be complimentary to each other. Theinclusion of this alignment pattern 220′ can allow for further stabilitywhen retaining the flavorant container 200′ within the carriage assembly180. The alignment pattern 220′ can also take the form of indentationsor any other surface features that aid in aligning the flavorantcontainer with the carriage (e.g., carriages 182L, 182R), while alsopreventing the alignment and retention of other types of containerswhich may lack complimentary features.

FIG. 8B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a flavorant container 200″including a container 202″ and a cap 204″. The cap 204″ can have aninlet 210″ and an outlet 212″ angled relative to each other.Consequently, when the flavorant container 200″ is seated in a carriage(e.g., carriage 182L, 182R), and flavorant is dispensed therefrom, theflavorant can be emitted from the outlet 212″ at an angle relative to adispensing stream of fluid (e.g., carbonated water) from the nozzle 178.In this way, the flavorant and fluid dispensed from the nozzle 178 canmix in-flight, rather than in a disposed receptacle, such as a drinkingglass.

FIGS. 8C and 8D depict an illustrative embodiment of a flavorantcontainer 200′″ having separate openings for an inlet 210′″ and anoutlet 212′″. These separate openings are delineated as an inlet opening206 a′″ and an outlet opening 206 b′″, which are each disposed in thecontainer 202′″. The inlet opening 206 a′″ and the outlet opening 206b′″ can be covered by a single cap 204′″, as seen in FIG. 8D, or byseparate inlet and outlet caps 204 a′″, 204 b′″, respectively.

The illustrative embodiments of the flavor containers 200, 200′, 200″,and 200′″ are depicted with specific features and arrangements offeatures, however the features and arrangements of features describedherein can be applicable to and interchangeable with any embodiment.

With reference now to FIG. 9 , a UI 300 is shown which can be used tooperate the beverage dispensing device 10. The UI 300 can be used tointerface with a controller (not shown). The UI 300 is shown located onthe head assembly 120; however, it could be located anywhere on thebeverage dispensing device 10, such as on the housing 102. Further, thebeverage dispensing device 10 could also be operated remotely, such asthrough a remote application on a computer, smart phone, or othersimilar device.

The UI 300 can receive inputs to operate and control aspects of acreation process for a beverage. For example, a user can select andcontrol parameters of the beverage they desire, such as liquid volume,carbonation level, flavor choice, and flavor strength. Liquid volumepertains to the overall size of the drink. Carbonation level pertains tothe amount of carbon-dioxide dissolved in the water, which affects how“bubbly” the drink is. Flavor choice pertains to the type of flavorantadded to the beverage, e.g., lemon, lime, etc. Flavor strength pertainsto the amount of flavorant added to the beverage.

The UI 300 is shown having a central display 302 in the form a circularscreen. The central display 302 can also operate as a dial to movebetween options. Above and below the central display 302 are indicators304, which can light up and correspond to what a user selects at thecentral display. For example, depicted in FIG. 9 above the centraldisplay 302 is an indicator 304 a pertaining to carbonation level. Theindicator 304 a is labeled “sparkling” and features an image of bubbles.The indicator 304 a also includes a meter, which is lit up according tothe carbonation level selected by the user. If the user selects themaximum carbonation level, the meter will be entirely filled up, whereasif the user selects a carbonation level equal to half of what ispossible, the meter will be half-filled. Separate indicators 304 b, 304c are also shown for “flavor strength” and flavor type. Flavor strengthis associated with indicator 304 b, the words “flavor strength,” and animage of a slice of citrus fruit. Flavor type is shown with indicator304 c as being either a “1” or a “2,” which correspond to a selectionbetween a left flavorant container and a right flavorant container.

The previously described components of the beverage dispensing device 10can operate together to create and dispense custom beverages. In anillustrative process, preparing a beverage with the beverage dispensingdevice 10 can involve several processes, including water preparation,gas preparation, flavorant container preparation, and customization atthe UI 300. With these preparations and customizations complete, thebeverage dispensing device 10 can then operate to mix and dispensecarbonated water and flavorant as desired.

Water preparation can include filling the water reservoir 130 with waterand then seating the water reservoir 130 onto the valve seat 116. Thisensures that the water within the water reservoir 130 is now ready to bedrawn upon during a carbonation procedure. Gas preparation can involveadding or replacing the CO₂ canister 161 within the CO₂ cavity 104 whenthe canister has run out. This can require the door 106 to be opened anda new canister 161 to be hooked up to the gas regulator in order toenable carbon-dioxide within the canister 161 to be used during acarbonation procedure.

Loading a flavorant container 200 into the carriage assembly 180 willallow for a flavorant stored within the flavorant container 200 to beadded to the beverage in order to provide flavor. The carriage 182 canbe moved to the lowered position by applying a force to the carriage 182to overcome the spring-biased maintaining the carriage assembly in theraised position, and the flavorant container 200 can be oriented so thatall features of the cap 204 align within the retention seat 184. Thealignment tab 207 can be slid down into the keyed slot 184 a, such thatthe retention catch 185 clicks into place and secures the flavorantcontainer 200. The inlet 210 can be received by the inlet receiver,which creates an air-tight seal around the inlet 210. The outlet 212 canbe aligned with the outlet receiver, which positions the outlet 212 overthe opening in preparation for the dispensing of a flavorant. Once theflavorant container 200 is secured in the carriage 182, the carriage 182can be moved to the raised position. A second flavorant can likewise beadded to the other carriage assembly.

If the cap 204 includes an alignment pattern 220′, like the figure-8pattern shown on the cap 204′ in FIG. 7 , the alignment pattern 220′ canbe further relied upon to guide the flavorant container 200′ intoposition within the carriage assembly 180 d.

When the above preparation steps are complete as needed, a vessel (notshown), such as a drinking glass, can be placed upon the drip tray 110beneath the nozzle 178 and the outlet receiver 188 of the carriageassembly 180. At the UI 300, aspects of the beverage can be selected,including fluid volume, carbonation level, flavor type, and flavorstrength. Fluid volume can be selected by a user in preset sizes, suchas, for example, 8 fluid ounces, 10 fluid ounces, 12 fluid ounces, andthe like. Fluid volume can also be precisely selected by a user to eveninclude fractional fluid ounces, or can be selected to operate inanother unit, such as milliliters and the like. When a desired volume isselected, the UI 300 can prompt the user for the next input. Carbonationlevel can be selected by a user in preset sizes, which can be presentedas levels to the user, such as 0-5, where a “0” can refer to nocarbonation and a “5” refers to the maximum amount of carbonationdissolvable in the water. Other levels of carbonation can be assigned tothe numbers presented, or the numbers presented can vary, i.e., a useris presented with a 1-10 instead of a 0-5. Flavor type can be selectedto offer a choice between a flavorant container stored in the leftcarriage 182L and a flavorant container stored in the right carriage182R. A choice can also be made by a user to skip flavor selection if anunflavored beverage is desired, or the user may be able to select boththe left and right flavorant containers 200L, 200R. Flavor strength canbe selected by a user to customize the amount of flavorant dispensedfrom the flavorant container 200. More flavorant will lead to a strongerdrink. In some embodiments, if both the left and right flavorantcontainers 200L, 200R are selected to dispense a flavorant, the flavorstrength can be individually selected for each of the flavorantcontainers 200L, 200R, resulting in potentially the same amount of eachflavorant or a different amount of each flavorant. The beveragedispensing device 10 can determine a default amount of flavorant to beadded based on a selected fluid volume and/or a selected carbonationlevel. The user can accept the default amount of flavorant, or they canalso change the default amount of flavorant to a custom amount.

Once any or all of the above selections have been made, a user canselect a “start” button to begin the dispensing process. In someembodiments, the central display 302 can act as a start button, and inother embodiments, the start button can be located elsewhere on thebeverage dispensing device 10, or on a remote application. Although theinputs are presented here in a certain order, a user may be able toinput them in any order desired, or may also be able to select only someof the inputs before initiating the dispensing process. For example, auser can select options to dispense a drink omitting one or all of theselections, or even can omit carbonation and/or flavoring altogether.

When a user has initiated the dispensing process, the beveragedispensing device 10 will coordinate several processes together in orderto properly create and dispense the desired beverage. These processescan include a mixing process and/or a flavoring process, for example,depending on user selection.

The mixing process generally involves the mixing assembly 170 receivingwater through the water line 152 and carbon-dioxide through the gas line160, mixing the received water and carbon-dioxide under pressure tocreate carbonated water, and dispensing carbonated water through thenozzle 178. In an illustrative embodiment, based on the user-selectedfluid volume and carbonation level, corresponding amounts water andcarbon-dioxide will be pumped and/or vented into the mixing chamber 172.The mixing chamber 172 has a finite volume, which can limit the amountof carbonated water that can be made in a single batch, and so if a userselected fluid-volume exceeds the volume of the mixing chamber 172, morethan one batch can be made to reach the total desired volume. In oneembodiment, the mixing chamber 172 can produce six fluid-ounces ofcarbonated water in a single batch.

FIGS. 10A-10E depict an illustrative control process 400, as well assub-processes 410, 430, 450, and 470, which can be followed to createand dispense a carbonated flavored beverage. The process 400 andsub-processes 410, 430, 450, and 470 can vary, and, for example, mayinclude additional sub-processes or omit sub-processes. Additionally,any and all of the sub-processes 410, 430, 450, and 470 can vary to addor omit individual steps.

The illustrative beverage-making process 400 starts at starting point402 and proceeds through several sub-processes as shown in FIG. 10A.These sub-processes can include an illustrative initialization process410, an illustrative user input process 430, an illustrative carbonationprocess 450, and an illustrative flavoring process 470. A beverage canbe dispensed at 490.

FIG. 10B depicts an illustrative initialization sub-process 410, whichcan be used to prepare the beverage dispensing system 10. Thesub-process can run separately from, or concurrently with, othersub-processes or processes. The sub-process 410 can begin at block 411and proceed to block 412. At block 412, the system 10 can determinewhether there is enough water present in the water reservoir 130. If thesystem 10 determines that there is not enough water present in the waterreservoir 130, the sub-process 410 can continue to block 413, where thesystem 10 can prompt a user to supply water to the water reservoir 130.The system 10 can also prevent drink creation until the system 10determines that water has been supplied. If, at block 412, the system 10detects that enough water is present, the sub-process 410 can continueto block 414. At block 414, the system 10 can run a check to determinewhether a user desires carbonation in a beverage. As explained above,the system 10 via UI 300 can receive a user input determining acarbonation level. If the user has indicated that they want carbonationin a beverage, a check can be performed at block 414 before thesub-process 410 proceeds to block 415. At block 15, the system 10 cancheck to see if there is enough carbon-dioxide in the gas source, forexample, in canister 162, before allowing a beverage dispensing processto proceed. If, at 415, the system 10 detects that there is not enoughcarbon-dioxide available, the system 10 can prompt a user to refill thecarbon-dioxide source. If, at 415, the system 10 detects that there isenough carbon-dioxide available, the sub-process 410 can continue toblock 417. Referring again to block 414, if a user has indicated thatthey do not want carbonation in a beverage, the sub-process 410 canproceed directly to block 417 and skip the check at block 415. At block417, the system 10 can run a check to determine whether a user desiresflavor. This check can be based on a user input received at UI 300, forexample. If, at block 417, the system 10 determines a user does not wantflavoring, the sub-process 410 can finish. If, at block 417, the system10 determines a user does want flavoring, the system can run a check atblock 418 to see if enough flavoring is available to flavor a beverage.If the system 10 determines that there is not enough flavoringavailable, the system 10 can prompt a user to refill flavoring and,until flavoring is refilled, prevent drink creation which attempts touse flavoring. If the system 10 determines that there is enoughflavoring, the system can 10 finish the initialization sub-process 410.

After some or all of initialization sub-process 410 has finished,process 400 can proceed to user input process 430. As explained above,some of sub-process 410 can be informed by inputs received at a UI 300,which can occur during user input process 430. Accordingly, sub-process410 may not necessarily finish before user input process 430 begins.

FIG. 10C depicts an illustrative user input sub-process 430. At block432, a user can be prompted for an input or inputs, which can result ina customized beverage dispensed from beverage dispensing device 10 basedat least partially on the received input or inputs. The inputs can bereceived in any order, and some inputs may be added in addition to whatis described. Further, inputs may be skipped. At block 434, an input canbe received for a liquid volume of a dispensed drink. The received inputcould be representative of several options, such as, for example, 6 oz.,8 oz., 10 oz., etc., or the received input could be representative ofsizes, such as small, medium, or large. At block 436, an input can bereceived for a carbonation level of a dispensed drink. As explainedpreviously, this user could be prompted to enter a carbonation levelbetween 0-5, where “0” represents no carbonation and “5” representsmaximum carbonation. A received input at block 436 can be informative ofother processes and checks run by the system, such as the checkperformed at 414 of sub-process 410, for example. At block 436, an inputcan be received representing a type of flavor. The system 10 can hold atleast one flavorant container 200, as explained above, and in someembodiments, it can hold at least two flavorant containers 200. A userinput can be received at 438, which selects between a first or a secondflavorant container held in the system 10. A user input can also bereceived that selects both the first and second flavorant container 200,or no flavorant container 200. Similar to the operation at block 436 fora carbonation level, if a user input at 438 is received that indicatesno flavor is desired, flavoring protocols and operations can be skipped.At block 440, a user input can be received indicating a flavorantstrength. Depending on the input received, the system 10 can dispensemore or less flavorant from a flavorant container 200. If a user inputis received at block 438 that flavorant is not desired, block 440 can beskipped.

FIG. 10D depicts an illustrative carbonation sub-process 450, which canoccur if a user has indicated that they would like some level ofcarbonation in their beverage, as shown in block 452. The sub-process450 can continue to block 454. At block 454, water can be pumped intothe mixing chamber 172 by the water pump 156 via the water line 152,based on a user-selected fluid volume, as explained previously. The flowmeter 157 can measure the amount of water flowing through the water line152, and water volume can be determined by pumping for a set amount oftime and measuring a flow rate with the flow meter 157. The ventsolenoid 172 a then can close. At block 456, gas (e.g., carbon-dioxide)can be added via the gas line 160, according to the desired carbonationlevel. The gas solenoid 166 can be actuated and regulated carbon-dioxidecan be allowed to flow into the mixing chamber 172. At block 458, theagitator 173 can be powered on to begin to churn the water and thecarbon-dioxide within the mixing chamber 172. The agitator 173 can runlonger than the time that carbon-dioxide flows into the mixing chamber173, for example, for between five and ten seconds after. Mixing canoccur within the mixing chamber 172, and then, at block 460, thepressure relief valve 179 can open to release excess pressure in themixing chamber 172. At block 462, the dispensing valve 177 can be openedto allow the newly created carbonated water to exit the mixing chamber172 and be dispensed by the nozzle 178. If, at block 464, morecarbonated water is needed, the carbonation sub-process 450 can proceedback to block 454, and carbonation can occur again until the totalvolume desired has been dispensed. If no more carbonated water isrequired, the sub-process 450 can proceed to block 468, indicating thatthe sub-process 450 is complete.

If, during a mixing process, such as at block 458, an internal pressureis measured by the pressure sensor 175 a that exceeds a safe threshold(e.g., 100 psi), the mixing chamber can be ventilated through actuationof a pressure release valve 179. If an internal temperature is measuredby the temperature sensor 175 b that exceeds a safe threshold, themixing chamber can be ventilated as well.

After a dispensing operation, a purging pump 159 coupled to the mixingassembly 170 can introduce pressurized air into the mixing chamber 172to clear it out of excess fluid. The pressurized air can be introducedthrough a check valve 158 b, permitting one-way flow into the mixingchamber 172.

FIG. 10E depicts an illustrative flavoring sub-process 470, which canoccur if a user has indicated that they would like flavoring in theirbeverage, as shown in block 472. The flavoring process generallyinvolves introducing pressurized air into a flavorant container (e.g.,flavorant container 200) to force a flavorant to dispense from theflavorant container. Based on a user selection, a flavorant can beselectively dispensed by the system 10. At block 747 of sub-process 470,this can be presented as a choice between a flavorant container 200seated in the left carriage 182L and a flavorant container seated in theright carriage 182R. When the flavorant container 200 is properly seatedon the carriage 182, the air pump 190 can be in fluid communication withthe inlet 210. The air pump 190 will send pressurized air down the airline 189 and into the inlet 210. The introduction of pressurized airwill force the duckbill valve to open, and, as a result, an internalpressure of the hollow interior chamber 208 will increase. In an attemptto eliminate the pressure differential, the outlet 212 will open and aflavorant will be forced out of the outlet 212, out of the head assembly120, and into a placed vessel (e.g., a drinking glass). The amount offlavorant dispensed depends on the amount of pressurized air forced intothe hollow interior chamber 208. This amount of pressurized air isdependent upon the input received at the UI 300 from a user indicatingtheir desired flavor level. This dispensing process can be seen in theremainder of sub-process 470, which includes blocks 476 and 480 if auser selects a left container 200, and which includes blocks 478 and 480if a user selects a right container 200. When flavorant has beendispensed at 480, the sub-process can be completed at block 482.

The flavoring sub-process 470 can be coordinated with the carbonationsub-process 450, such that carbonated water and a flavorant can bedispensed at the same time. In an illustrative embodiment, thecarbonated water and the flavorant are dispensed substantially parallelto each other, such that they mix in a placed drinking glass. In anotherembodiment, the carbonated water and the flavorant are dispensed suchthat their flow paths collide in mid-air, above the drinking glass. Inthis way, the carbonated water and the flavorant can begin to mix inmidair, which can result in a more thoroughly mixed beverage. Note inother embodiments, the flavorant can be dispensed along withuncarbonated water to form an uncarbonated flavor beverage.

The injection of air through the inlet 210 can be accomplished through asingle burst of at least one pressurized gas, or through several burstsof at least one pressurized gas. In total, a flavoring sub-process cantake a short time, e.g., less than one second. In some embodiments, theprocess can be less than 250 ms, and in some embodiments, as low asapproximately 130 ms.

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative dispensing process 500, including anexample time sequence for various operations within the dispensingprocess 500. The process 500 can begin at block 501 and proceed to block502. At block 502, the mixing chamber 172 can be filled to a specifiedvolume. For example, if the mixing chamber 172 has a maximum capacity of6 oz. and a user has selected a volume less than 6 oz., the selectedvolume will be pumped into the mixing chamber 172. If the user hasselected a volume greater than 6 oz., then 6 oz. can be pumped into themixing chamber 172 during a first operation. At block 504,carbon-dioxide can be supplied to the mixing chamber 172, and at block510, supply of carbon-dioxide can end. At block 506, the motor 174 canbe activated to drive the agitator 173 within the mixing chamber 172,and at block 510, the motor 174 can be deactivated. The block 504-508link can occur for a first period of time, and the 506-510 link canoccur for a second period of time that is different than the firstperiod of time. The first period of time and the second period of timemay occur in succession, or they may occur in parallel—either fully inparallel or partially in parallel. For example, each of the first andsecond periods of time can operate at a LOW cycle, a MED cycle, and aHIGH cycle. For the LOW cycle, the first period of time can be threeseconds and the second period of time can be 2 seconds. For the MEDcycle, the first period of time can be four seconds and the secondperiod of time can be eight seconds. For the HIGH cycle, the firstperiod of time can be six seconds and the second period of time can beten seconds. The process 500 can continue to block 512. At block 512,the mixing chamber 172 can be ventilated for a time before the mixingchamber 172 is sealed again at block 514. For example, the mixingchamber 172 can be vented for various times as needed to reduce aninternal pressure of the mixing chamber 172, and in an illustrativeexample, the mixing chamber 172 can be vented for approximately 3.2seconds. At block 516, the mixing chamber 172 can dispense stored fluidvia the outlet valve 176. At block 518, the purging pump 159 can beactivated to assist in dispensing stored fluid from the mixing chamber172. This dispensing operation can take time depending on the amount ofstored fluid to be ventilated, and in an illustrative example can takeapproximately twelve seconds. At block 520, the outlet valve 176 can beclosed, and at block 522, the purging pump 159 can be deactivated. If avolume of fluid is required which exceeds the maximum capacity of themixing chamber, the process 500 can begin again at block 501 as isnecessary to produce and dispense the desired volume. At block 524, anair pump, e.g., air pump 190L, 190R, etc., can be activated to begin aflavorant dispensing process. At block 526, the air pump can bedeactivated to end the flavorant dispensing process. The time the airpump is activated between block 524 and block 526 can vary, depending onan amount of flavorant to be dispensed. For example, if LOW flavor isdesired, the time can be approximately one second; if MED flavor isdesired, the time can be approximately 1.2 seconds; if HIGH flavor isdesired, the time can be approximately 1.4 seconds. The flavorantdispensing process depicted in blocks 524 and 526 can operate inparallel with or in succession with any other portion of the dispensingprocess 500.

The flavorant container 200 can be made using various manufacturingprocesses. In an example manufacturing process, the container 202 can bemade by a first process and the cap 204 can be made by a second process.

The first process can include manufacturing the container 202 throughExtrusion Blow Molding. This could be accomplished with polypropylene(PP) and/or could involve injection molding and blow molding, eitherseparately or in combination. An orientation feature can be used toensure that a cap 204 is fitted in a desired orientation.

The second process can include manufacturing the cap 204 throughinjection molding. A first orientation feature can be used to ensure adesired alignment relative to the container 202. A second orientationfeature can be used to ensure correct placement during a manufacturingprocess (e.g., the first process, the second process, or anotherprocess). A third orientation feature can be used to provide a correctorientation when the flavorant container 200 is placed within thecarriage assembly 180. A latching feature, such as the alignment tab207, can be included to ensure that the flavorant container 204 can besecured within the carriage assembly 180. The inlet 210 and the outlet212 can also be included for the reasons stated above. The inlet 210 caninclude a silicone duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, or other types ofvalves. The outlet 212 can include a silicone dispense valve, across-slit valve, or other types of valves. In some manufacturingprocesses, the cap 204, including the inlet 210 and the outlet 212, canbe a single, discrete element. The valves associated with the inlet 210and/or 212 can be made from other materials known to those skilled inthe art as well, including other molded flexible materials, includingvarious plastics, rubbers, and others.

Certain illustrative implementations have been described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the systems, devices, and methods disclosedherein. One or more examples of these implementations have beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the systems, devices, and methods specifically describedherein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limitingillustrative implementations and that the scope of the present inventionis defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or describedin connection with one illustrative implementation may be combined withthe features of other implementations. Such modifications and variationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of theimplementations generally have similar features, and thus within aparticular implementation each feature of each like-named component isnot necessarily fully elaborated upon.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are notto be limited to the precise value specified. In at least someinstances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision ofan instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout thespecification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/orinterchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-rangescontained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described implementations.Accordingly, the present application is not to be limited by what hasbeen particularly shown and described, except as indicated by theappended claims. All publications and references cited herein areexpressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage system for preparing a beverage,comprising: a fluid dispenser configured to dispense a first fluid; anda carriage assembly movably mounted to the fluid dispenser andconfigured to receive at least one flavorant container, the fluiddispenser including a pump configured to vary, based on a user input, anamount of at least one gas injected into a flavorant container receivedin the carriage assembly to cause the at least one flavorant containerto dispense a second fluid; wherein the carriage assembly is configuredto form a seal around at least part of the flavorant container beforeinjecting the air into the flavorant container; and wherein the firstfluid and the second fluid are configured to be dispensed from separateoutlets.
 2. The beverage system of claim 1, wherein the first fluidcomprises water.
 3. The beverage system of claim 1, wherein the carriageassembly has a cavity formed therein and configured to receive theflavorant container, and a channel extending along a sidewall of thecavity and configured to receive a projection on the flavorantcontainer.
 4. The beverage system of claim 1, wherein the carriageassembly includes an inlet receiver formed therein and configured tocouple to an inlet port on a flavorant container for allowing the atleast one gas to be injected into the flavorant container.
 5. Thebeverage system of claim 1, wherein the carriage assembly includes anoutlet receiver formed therein and configured to allow the first fluidwithin the flavorant container to be dispensed from an outlet port ofthe flavorant container into a receptacle.
 6. A beverage system forpreparing a flavored beverage, comprising: a housing including a fluidinput configured to receive a first fluid from a fluid source and afluid output configured to dispense a second fluid; and a carriageassembly movably mounted on the housing and configured to receive aflavorant container, the carriage assembly having a port configured tocouple to an inlet on the flavorant container to allow at least one gasthrough the inlet into the flavorant container, and the carriageassembly having at least one projection extending from a surface thereofand configured to couple to a complimentary portion of the flavorantcontainer, the at least one projection defining a retention patterncomprising a figure-eight shape.
 7. The beverage system of claim 6,wherein the complementary portion comprises a complimentary feature on acap affixed to a main body of the flavorant container.
 8. A beveragesystem for preparing a flavored beverage, comprising: a housingincluding a fluid input configured to receive a first fluid from a fluidsource and a fluid output configured to dispense a second fluid; and acarriage assembly movably mounted on the housing and configured toreceive a flavorant container, the carriage assembly having a lowersurface including a port configured to couple to an inlet on theflavorant container to allow at least one gas through the inlet into theflavorant container, and an opening positioned adjacent to the port andconfigured to allow an outlet on the flavorant container to dispensefluid; wherein the carriage assembly includes a first cavity configuredto receive the flavorant container, and the carriage assembly includes asecond cavity configured to receive a second flavorant container.
 9. Thebeverage system of claim 8, further comprising a user interfaceconfigured to receive at least one input, the at least one inputcharacterizing a selection between dispensing flavorant from the firstflavor container and dispensing flavorant from the second flavorantcontainer.
 10. A beverage system comprising: a housing including a fluidinput configured to receive a first fluid from a fluid source and afluid output configured to emit a second fluid; and a carriage assemblymovably mounted on the housing and having a cavity configured to seat aflavorant container, the cavity having a port configured to interactwith an inlet on the flavorant container to introduce at least one gasfrom the port through the inlet into the flavorant container; whereinthe cavity includes at least one projection defining a retentionpattern, the retention pattern being configured to receive acomplimentary feature on a flavorant container; the complimentaryportion including two tubular members of different diameters separatedby a space.